Warning for scaffolders

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety alert to the construction industry following a major scaffolding collapse in Milton Keynes last month.

John Robinson was killed and 20 other workers were seriously injured when scaffolding collapsed on the site of the new Jurys Inn Hotel.

The firm responsible, North Notts Scaffolding, had previously been issued with a prohibition notice by the HSE at a Nottinghamshire site in 2002. The company is not registered with the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, a voluntary scheme to train and certify scaffolders.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of construction union UCATT, said the tragedy “shows us once again that more needs to be done to make the industry safe to work in”.